"ALLEGIANCE TO GOD"

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 30, 5 February 1941, Page 8

"ALLEGIANCE TO GOD"

APPEAL AGAINST SERVICE

BOARD'S DECISION

A declaration that no man could serve two masters, God and Satan, and that Satan was master of this world and had been controlling it for some time, was made by a Jehovah's Witness, Norris Gilbert Smith, salesman; who appeared before the Armed Forces Appeal Board today claiming exemption from military service on conscientious grounds based on the teachings of the Scriptures.

In England Jehovah's Witnesses had been granted unconditional exemption from military service because of their faith, said the appellant. They were all true Christians.

The chairman, Mx. W. F. Stilwell, 5.M.,; You are aware, of course, that your organisation has been declared a subversive one?

The appellant: It has been, but there has been no evidence given why it was declared subversive. It all happened overnight. Nothing had happened prior to the Government's action to warrant the organisation being so declared.

To the Crown representative, Mr. C. O, Bell, the appellant said he had become interested in the organisation about three years ago and had been an active member about four or five months.

You really consider that you owe no allegiance to this or any other country?—My allegiance is to God, not to man.

The appellant said that he had always been law-abiding and would obey the laws of the country except where they conflicted wvth God's laws, "because He has the prior right." He would have nothing whatever to do with wars, because they were Satan's wars. "I am prepared to do God's will and God's work." the appellant added. "I am not prepared to fight in defence of this country."

The appeal was dismissed